President Ishmael Toroama remains steadfast in his resolve for Bougainville to become an independent sovereign nation as the region prepares for the joint consultations with the National Government.

President Toroama made this bold statement during the first sitting of the Bougainville House of Representatives this year today.

“I will not be deterred by any challenge or adversity that Bougainville faces because this is what we fought for during the Crisis and this is what 97% of us voted for in the Referendum,” President Toroama declared.

“The leaders of this House must stand firm in our decision to be an independent nation despite the criticisms from within Bougainville as well as outside,” President Toroama said.

“I urge you all to maintain solidarity and union at the political level so that it reflects on our constituents,” President Toroama said.

“Despite the criticisms this government has achieved a lot in progressing Bougainville in just a few months; we have achieved much in paving our way forward towards independence,” President Toroama added.

“I thank this honorable house for its stand to support me as your President in our drive to independence,” President Toroama said.

Much of the political discourse on the post Referendum period is currently being undertaken by ABG as it prepares for the joint consultations and the ratification of the referendum result by the national government.

The ABG has already prepared its consultation team and locked in its agendas that it will bring forward as they meet with their national counterparts.

President Toroama also thanked Prime Minister James Marape for his government’ commitment to implementing the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

The mutual understanding between President Toroama and Prime Minister Marape has seen both the ABG and National Government reach a more collaborative attitude to dealing with the autonomous arrangements on Bougainville.

The recent JSB earlier this month is a clear indication of this new found relationship between the two governments.

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